Victory is a sharp organization tied to 1.9 billion-a-year, Polaris Industries. When they took on establishing another American Motorcycle name, they didn’t mess around, and they’re still not fooling around. Their bikes have the best reputation in the industry for reliability and warranty claims. Where many companies shoot for 30 dealers country wide, Victory already touts 320.

They also have a fresh and aggressive marketing approach. Most companies announce their new models once prior to the New Year (in time for magazines to publish articles); Victory scheduled three new product announcements this year. The first was the 2007 new Victory models party. Then they invited the media to fly to Rancho Mirage and ride the new Victory line-up to Borrego Springs for a hands-on approach to their new line-up. Finally in December they will greet the world of motorcycling once more with their new all-touring model. They’re keeping the buzz alive.

That’s not all. Victory’s approach to their line-up is amazing. First they’ve studied ergonomics into the fifth dimension, so virtually anyone who climbs aboard a Vegas, Kingpin or Hammer will feel immediately at home. I’ve experienced this phenomenon, at 6’5”, and witnessed its impressions on a 5’6” rider. Then the company wrapped that refined chassis and driveline with at least four outfits. Harley’s line-up includes touring chassis, Dyna and Softail. Victory uses the same frame and basic chassis with their cruiser model, the Vegas, the touring model, the King Pin, and the sportbike offering, the Hammer.

The final offering is the customized cruiser, the Jackpot, and the Arlen and Cory Ness limited edition versions. Arlen and Cory are also heavily involved in the design of all Victory custom accessories.

So what does this new American Motorcycle Company lack? They’re enhancing their accessory line-up severely for 2007, with a 130-page catalog. They’ve doubled or tripled their apparel line for the new-year. Even their custom colors variations have expanded. Plus, now they offer an S&S engine performance upgrade, to 106 inches of fuel-injected 4-valve per head, overhead-cam V-Twin connected to the rear wheel with a 6-speed, overdrive transmission. Hell, they are even distributing their own line of detailing chemicals.

As far as I can see the missing element is a pure Victory Dealer Lifestyle. That will come over the next five years, as their product-line grows to a level supporting unique all- Victory dealer locations.

Okay, so we went for a ride. Their marketing team set it up, so for three days editors flew into Palm Springs, California and were shuttled to a desert resort in Rancho Mirage. The notion kept each ride more one-on-one, with the staff, and manageable. We rolled out around 9:30 in the morning for 118 desert California miles through La Quinta, across the Pinyon Flats into Anza where Wink Eller, Bonneville champion, hid out for several year behind a Marine owned Barbecue Ribs joint. Great place to hide.

I jumped an 8-Ball, the standard, low-buck Vegas model decked out in black, but still sporting the 100-inch engine but with only 5-speeds. That made it a tough choice, to my way of thinking. I leaned toward the 8-Ball for it’s all blacked-out self, but that additional gear was a tease. The 2007 model mirrored 2006 except for the additional blacked-out wheels. The elements holding the price low included the solo seat, the blackness versus chrome, the old standard headlight, single front disc and 5-speed tranny, but I like it. It was balanced, agile and comfortable. I didn’t need another brake and that 5th gear was cool on the roads we rambled over.

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